While waiting to be rolled into the operating room, I overheard a nurse speaking to the patient next to me in a calm manner. He was personable, respectful, and helpful. When I awakened from the Propofol, I was glad to hear the voice of the Recovery/Discharge Nurse who I later learned was Kenneth O'Neal. My thoughts went to Michael Jackson, and for a moment I wanted to moon walk and say "He hee"! My sister was seated next to me when I woke. It was very important that she was there so I appreciated Kenneth making sure that she was there. I had quite a few questions, and he answered them all without rushing through his explanations. His gentleness was amazing, especially since my sister told me later that I had asked several questions twice. Like the patient before me, he was personable, respectful, and helpful.
As Kenneth wheeled me out in the wheelchair, I told him that I did not understand the questions asked by another nurse. The questions were: "Who lives with you?" and "Do you live in a house or apartment?" Kenneth said that the nurse might have been backed up and not able to answer my concerns completely. On the walk to the car, he said that the hospital learned after Katrina that many patients go home without the necessary support systems for the after-care. He said that the hospital wanted to make sure that I had everything that I needed to have a successful outcome. Kenneth's response satisfied my curiosity. The last nurse that interacts with a patient can enhance or destroy the experience. Kenneth enhanced my Ochsner experience.